Two police officers hunting a hit-and- run killer have been honoured after using gut instinct to unearth his car in a quarry.

Martin Sands' Rover 213 ploughed into Robert Watmuff, 21, from Wilsden, and his best friend, Daniel Claughton, as he drove along Harden Road, Bingley, fuelled by a cocktail of drink and drugs.

Sands, who was jailed for five years for the crime, drove off leaving Robert lying face down in the road where he died as police reached the scene.

Daniel, then 18, of Thackley, suffered scratches and damage to his right calf but was otherwise physically unscathed.

Sands had already been banned for drink driving and tried to cover up his part in the fatal accident by asking two teenagers to bury the car in Bank Top Quarry.

Yesterday, Keighley police officers PC Philip Day and Sergeant Richard Czornowol were awarded Assistant Chief Constable's commendations for their painstaking and persistent investigation into the crime.

Sgt Czornowol said: "After the accident a burning car was seen in the area. We had a gut instinct the car was in the quarry.

"When we visited the place there was evidence of newly-flattened excavation and there was some scorching on the bank, but no vehicle."

The officers spoke to staff and eventually two men came clean and admitted burying the car.

A police spokesman said the officers' thorough investigation revealed Sands, of Florist Street, Keighley, had been drinking extensively and had paid two quarry workers to bury the car.

It was recovered for forensic examination and Sands was eventually arrested.

The spokesman added: "The man admitted driving the vehicle into Bingley but said he could not recollect hitting anything and pleaded not guilty when charged."

But when the case was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service it went to Bradford Crown Court in November 1999.

Sands pleaded guilty to conspiracy, causing death by driving without due care while unfit to drive through drink and drugs, two counts of driving while disqualified, possessing amphetamine, and numerous driving offences.

He was jailed for five years and disqualified from driving for seven years. The two quarry workers were each ordered to carry out 100 hours' community service.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Smith, who presented the awards, said both officers had done a superb job, particularly as there was no evidence from witnesses.